Chapter 516: I am building heaven itself
Annie’s eyes widened, her body jerking as though struck by a lightning. "Rael!! Her cry was breathless, half rage, half disbelief.
Julian only chuckled in response, savoring her struggle. His finger traced lightly along her wrist, feather-soft, yet enough to make her shiver.
"You can deny me with words all you want, mother," he whispered, leaning close enough for his lips to nearly brush hers, "but your body... tells the truth."
Annie squeezed her eyes shut, trembling from head to toe. "This... this is wickedness..." she whispered, her voice weak. She tried to twist away as Julian’s body loomed closer, but his hand found her waist, holding her still. She froze completely, her breath catching in her throat.
"Rael..." she gasped, "let go of me—this is too much—"
"Too much?" Julian quickly answered, his breath warm against her ear. "Then why do you tremble like this?"
His hand lingered at her waist, fingers pressing lightly on the curve of her side. Slowly, he let it trail downward, following the soft lines of her body.
Annie’s eyes widened and she jerked in his hold. "No! Y-you shouldn’t touch me like that!" But Julian only smirked, his gaze never leaving her flustered face. His hand slid lower, boldly cupping her ass, squeezing just enough to make her arch against the table.
"Rael!" Her lips parted in a loud gasp.
"Mother," Julian whispered in a low, teasing growl. "Does this feel good?"
Annie shook her head furiously, her hands pushing at his chest—but the more she pushed, the closer she seemed to draw him. Her lips parted again, trembling with the words she could no longer hold back—whether it would have been a plea, a protest, or something else entirely, even she didn’t know.
But before the sound could escape, Julian’s hand suddenly withdrew. The warmth of his touch vanished, leaving her skin aching with its absence. He stepped back slowly, his eyes drinking in her flushed face one last time.
For a heartbeat, the room was silent—her ragged breathing, Kain’s steady gaze and Julian’s slow retreat. Then, with a single glance toward his father, Julian’s grin widened.
Kain said nothing... but the faint wink he gave was answer enough. Julian chuckled and casually walked away as though nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Annie stood frozen in place, her chest rising and falling as though she had run a marathon. Her hands still trembled, her lips still quivered, unable to maintain her composure. She dared to look at her husband, searching desperately for some words, some denial that what just happened was not real. But Kain only watched her silently, his expression unreadable.
Her blush deepened, and she spun away, clutching the cloth tightly in her hands. Yet no matter how she tried to steady herself, the ghost of her son’s touch lingered, burning hotter than fire.
**
The Breeding Hall of the village was different than the testing chambers that Julian had met Mara and Lira in.
Three houses had been chosen, one for each breeder.
Having the strongest seed, Kain’s chamber contained a massive bed, strong enough to withstand nights of relentless breeding. There were also bowls of fruit and cool water for nourishment. Incense burned constantly, perfuming the air with an intoxicating scents that lowered defenses and stirred hidden desires.
Runes and symbols were etched into the walls, glowing and pulsing like a heartbeat. The women of the village believed that these were the key for increasing chances for pregnancy and birthing a healthy baby. Every corner was adorned with some offering: garlands of dried herbs, jars of honey and milk left as tokens of blessing, charms and amulets scattered here and there.
To the outside eye, the houses might have seemed like shrines—or perhaps cages. But for those chosen, they were both: places of devotion and surrender.
The house Julian was assigned lied only a few minutes from his home. When he reached it, he paused only briefly before pushing the door open.
Warm light spilled from the lanterns that were hung in the corners, their flames falling on the green runes that flickered on his arrival.
"Hmm. Decent," Julian murmured under his breath, nodding slightly. "They must’ve spent a fortune on this... or maybe the villagers donated their wealth."
Before him was a huge desk, stacked with scrolls and neatly aligned ink pots. Behind it sat a young girl, no older than 20, dressed in a plain, loosely fitted gown. Her posture was tense and when her eyes flicked up to meet Julian’s, a shy flush spread across her cheeks.
She cleared her throat softly, her fingers tightening on the quill she held. "Breeder Rael," she greeted, her voice slightly nervous. "Welcome. Your chamber has been prepared."
Julian’s gaze fell behind her, drawn toward the door leading to the breeding chamber. He then smirked, tilting his head slightly.
So that’s the real stage, he thought. The breeding room.
The girl behind the desk set her quill down. "Shall I... explain the procedures, my lord?" she asked, still unable to meet his eyes.
Julian chuckled as he stepped closer, a smirk playing on his lips. Resting his palm on the desk, he leaned down just enough to make the girl stiffen in her seat.
"My lord...?" he repeated slowly. "Such respect... from someone who can’t even meet my eyes."
The girl’s hands twisted in her lap. She kept her head bowed low, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"T-the elder gave instructions. All who serve in the breeding houses must address the chosen as my lord. She said... if the curse is truly broken, and our people return to the heavens, the breeders will be the pillars of the new family."
Julian raised an eyebrow, amused. "Pillars, is it? Hah. Sounds like you’re saying we’ll be worshipped."
Her cheeks flamed, but she did not deny it. Instead, her voice fell to a whisper. "That is what some believe, my lord. That those who... plant the seed... will be honored above all."